What is an OTA virtual credit card (VCC)?

A VCC is a virtual credit card generated by a booking platform (Booking.com, Expedia) to pay the hotelier. It contains a card number, expiration date and CVV, but does not exist in physical form.

How do I charge a Booking.com virtual card with TKpay?

Use the MOTO function on your TKpay terminal: manually enter the card number, expiration date and CVV provided by Booking.com. The payment is processed securely with full traceability.

When should I charge the OTA virtual card?

It depends on the OTA's policy. Booking.com typically activates the VCC on check-in day. Expedia may activate it at booking. Check each platform's terms.

Are OTA virtual cards secure?

Yes, VCCs are single-use, linked to a specific reservation and capped at the exact stay amount. They offer superior security compared to physical cards for remote transactions.

OTA Virtual Cards: A Guide for Moroccan Hoteliers

What Is an OTA Virtual Card?

Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and Agoda use a payment system based on virtual credit cards (VCC). When a traveler books accommodation, the OTA generates a virtual credit card in the hotel's name and sends the details via email or through the platform's extranet.

This card contains a 16-digit number, expiration date and CVV code — just like a physical card — except it only exists digitally. The hotelier uses this information to charge the stay amount directly from their payment terminal.

Why Do OTAs Use Virtual Cards?

The VCC model offers several advantages for the hospitality ecosystem:

Enhanced security: each VCC is single-use, linked to a specific booking and capped at the exact amount. It cannot be reused for other transactions.
Automation: the OTA handles guest payment and transfers the amount to the hotelier via VCC, simplifying accounting.
Fraud protection: no transmission of the traveler's real banking details to the hotel.
Easy reconciliation: each VCC corresponds to a specific booking, making financial reconciliation straightforward.

How Does MOTO Payment Work?

MOTO stands for Mail Order / Telephone Order. It is a payment mode where the merchant manually enters the card information on their terminal, without the card being physically present. This is exactly the process used for OTA virtual cards.

Steps with a TKpay Terminal:

Receive the details: the OTA sends the VCC information (number, expiration, CVV) via email or extranet
Enter on the terminal: access the MOTO function on your TKpay terminal and enter the card data
Validation: the terminal processes the transaction in real time and confirms payment
Traceability: the transaction appears in your TKpay dashboard with the booking reference

Platform-Specific Details

Booking.com

Booking.com activates the VCC on the guest's check-in day (sometimes the day before). The amount corresponds to the total booking minus the Booking commission. Key points:

The card is valid for a limited period (usually 30 days after check-out)
The amount is fixed and corresponds exactly to the hotelier's share
In case of no-show, the VCC remains chargeable per the cancellation policy

Expedia

Expedia operates on a similar model but may activate the VCC upon booking confirmation. The amount sometimes includes taxes and fees. Important notes:

Verify the exact amount before charging
Booking modifications may generate a new VCC
Validity periods may vary by reservation type

Other OTAs (Hotels.com, Agoda, Trip.com)

Each platform has its own activation and validity rules. Most follow the Booking.com model with activation at check-in.

Benefits for Moroccan Hotels and Riads

For a hotelier or riad owner in Morocco, mastering VCC payments has become essential:

Guaranteed revenue: the amount is secured by the OTA, no risk of non-payment
No card disputes: VCCs eliminate fraud-related chargebacks
Time savings: no need to chase guests for payment
Professionalism: a smooth payment process builds platform trust, improving your ranking

Why Choose TKpay for MOTO Payments?

TKpay terminals (SUNMI P2, P3, T2) natively integrate the MOTO function, unlike some basic terminals that only support physical card payments. With TKpay:

Secure manual entry: clear interface for entering card numbers without errors
Full traceability: every MOTO transaction is tracked in the dashboard with booking reference
Dedicated hospitality support: our team understands VCC specifics and helps you configure
All OTA compatible: works with Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Agoda and any platform issuing VCCs

Conclusion

OTA virtual cards have become the global hospitality payment standard. For hotel owners and riad operators in Morocco, having a terminal capable of processing MOTO payments is now an operational necessity. TKpay offers this functionality natively, with dedicated support for the Moroccan hospitality sector.